An Atlas to Time, Space, and Bonfires

By Save Sci-Fi

Save Sci-Fi (SSF) has supported new, independent, quality science fiction across all mediums since its inception. And now, as a part of our long- standing tradition, we're contributing to the medium we love with this: our own original science fiction anthology! This collection of original sci-fi stories comes to you from a group of authors brought together by their love of science fiction and their desire to share their worlds with you and all of the sci-fi fandom!

Our organization's only goal is to provide fans with quality stories for their enjoyment. We do not profit off our endeavors and as such, we rely entirely on
donations to fund our projects, convention booths/materials, and everything else we do to support the genre we all crave.

Authors include:

David Bax
D.C. Daines
Heather Leonard
Stephen Landry
Kevin Small
Zach Shaw
Felicia Copeny
Lewis Leslie
E.J. De la Peña
David Castlewitz
Drew Avera
Marleen S. Barr
Christopher S. Vickers
Mike Lawson
H.S. Donnelly
Patrick S. Baker
Medron Pryde
Sophie G. Michaels
Bob Brown
Lawrence Dagstine
Daniel M. Kimmel

• Language: English
• Publisher: Save Sci-Fi
• Release date: May 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370505593

Save Sci-Fi

Our Mission is to help Encourage and Promote new Science Fiction across all mediums.

Book preview

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

If you purchase this book without a cover you should be aware that this book may have been stolen property and reported as unsold and destroyed to the author. In such case neither the author, or distributor has received any payment for this stripped book.

If this book is being sold by a vendor other than the following large and established vendors / distributors: Createspace.com, Amazon.com, Apple.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Smashwords.com, Kobobooks.com, or any distributing partners listed on the aforementioned websites, there is a high degree of certainty this book was purchased as a pirated copy. It is requested that you contact the author immediately so that the vendor in question can be notified to cease and desist their practices. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted material in violation of the author’s rights.

Copyright © 2017 by Stephen William Landry

[e-mail]

All stories are copyright by individual authors.

Cover art by Kristina Sötje with typography by Stephen Landry

Interior Art by Stephen Landry, Tori Newton, and Stephen Huda

Edited by Stephen Landry (Exodus edited by Alessa Halliwell, The Gemini Affair edited by Medron Pryde, Errant Sky edited by D.C. Daines)

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database, retrieval system, or torrent web service, without the prior written permission of the author.

Introduction:

Save Sci-Fi began as a 15 year old’s overly optimistic attempt to make a difference and emulate the early Star Trek fandom’s success in convincing NBC to renew the show they loved for a third season.  It was an era of cancellations left and right, with cooking and wrestling replacing sci-fi in primetime slots, chock-full of reality TV shows.  Since the beginning, in August of 2011, Save Sci-Fi has been centrally based on Facebook, growing in size every year.  Since then, Save Sci-Fi has become global, with team members in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia, and supporters spread around the globe.  

Eventually, as Science Fiction once again began to grow, Save Sci-Fi transitioned to the goal of supporting new science fiction, both independent and professional.  Save Sci-Fi began to reach out, making connections between independent producers and resources they needed.  We created a network of content creators and social media figures, and did our best to help science fiction flourish, especially when new creators needed help.  

In the beginning of 2017, we at Save Sci-Fi decided it was time to dip our toes into the water, and create original content of our own.  The result is this anthology, An Atlas to Time, Space, and Bonfires.  In the creation of this anthology, we reached out to our network of contacts and our supporters to get as many short stories as possible.  We then read through all of the submitted stories, and narrowed the list down to the 21 best, at which point our artists and editors then went to work preparing the art and ensuring the quality of every story.  

This Anthology has been a passion project for all of us, and we hope that you enjoy reading it as much as we have enjoyed making it.

~ Michael Daugherty, Founder

EXODUS PART 1

The Armstrong Luna Research Station

Written By David Bax

Edited by Alessa Halliwell

It is shown how, within the framework of general relativity and without the introduction of wormholes, it is possible to modify a spacetime in a way that allows a spaceship to travel with an arbitrarily large speed.

- Miguel Alcubierre, The warp drive: hyper-fast travel within general relativity.

The Luna Stations Project was the planned construction of 15 subsurface structures in the bottom of large craters scattered around the moon. The stations were part of an effort to colonize the lunar surface and construction began in 2056. These initial stations were designed to house a few hundred people that would mine out living space underground. Each station was designed to produce everything the inhabitants would need. Before the colonists could arrive, however, the two largest corporations, one based in China and the other in India, went to war in 2062.

Construction on stations 12 through 15 were quickly abandoned as the war spiraled out of control, dragging with it almost every nation and large corporation in the world. For the next 22 years, the nations of the world fought until finally in 2084 an armistice was signed, between Russia-China Pact and The International Alliance of Nations.

The resources previously consumed by war were once again aimed at the stars. The Luna Station project was abandoned, and of the 4 remaining operational stations, 3 were turned into Luna Hotels, with the last being re-tasked as a scientific research station. It was renamed from Luna 3 to the Armstrong Luna Research Station.

The Armstrong Luna Research Station was a small bio-dome that sat in the middle of Fermi Crater on the dark side of the moon. Semi-Spherical in shape, it was mostly buried under the surface with only a small round window pointing outward. It had a hangar bay on each side of the station and a combination runway and launch pad nearby to allow easy take-off and landing. Inside was a 2 story tall circular building with a courtyard garden in the middle and a windowed dome above that looked out toward the stars. It was created by excavating the surface of the moon and was powered by solar panels in Luna Stationary Orbit above the surface. This allowed it to be powered all year round. It could house over 200 inhabitants, with an emergency bunker in the basement that could hold over 1000 people. At that time, there were only 4 active research projects on the station, one using the underground particle accelerator, two using the Ultra Deep Space Telescopes, and one researching a new type of propulsion drive.

Phil, a 2 meter tall, skinny, 35 year old, English man with a medium sized beard paced restlessly, looking at the screen behind him. The computer was telling him the simulation was complete, and it had a stable field. The problem was they couldn’t seem to generate a stable field in the lab.

I must be missing something he muttered, frustrated at his lack of progress. It’s staring me right in the face and I can’t see it.

He walked over to his window and looked out over the courtyard garden. The view hadn’t changed in the 2 years since he’d arrived, and in that time he had made little progress toward creating enough of the particle of negative energy needed to stabilize the outside of the field. He had tentatively named it the M particle. His team had grown from himself, a physicist, and his engineer, Claire Wilson, to encompass almost 30% of the people on the station. Each person was the leading expert in their chosen field and contributed to the project in different ways, though they all relied on Phil to coordinate and make the final decisions.

The artificial lights started to fade.

Is it that late already? he thought out loud as he opened the airtight door to his room. He stepped out onto the adjoining balcony and glanced down at the small pond below. The bushes around it glinted in the low light and he followed the curve of the handrail around the building as he made his way to the mess hall. He was worried about what he was going to tell the team. In only a few weeks the funding would be up for review and in the last 6 months they hadn’t made enough progress to justify an extension of the project. The test drive had been built and all of the parameters had been met bar one, the M particle field wasn’t stable.

As he walked the empty halls lost in thought the lights dimmed overhead revealing the universe before him through the small window of the dome. He stopped for a moment to gaze out at them. So close, and yet so far away.

How’s progress comin’? Claire said in her deep southern drawl, pulling him from his thoughts. Phil jumped, looking down; he hadn’t noticed her lying on the bench. Claire was 55 but only just starting to show it. She was short than Phil at 165 cm tall, and had a more stocky build. She was splayed out on the smooth surface with her slightly grey, auburn hair hanging over the side, taking up enough space for three people.

We’re missing something. I know it’s right in front of us. I can taste it but I can’t see it. Phil said, looking back up at the sky, as if the answer was written on the dome itself.

M particle field? Claire teased, pulling herself into a sitting position.

Yeah. He sighed. The drive should be generating enough of them, the simulations finished, and even accounting for scaling issues, we should be generating enough for a stable field. Phil forced an exhausted smile and met her piercing blue eyes.

Well my team built it exactly as you designed it. Claire said.

I know, and yet it still isn’t generating them. The simulations say it should be, the modeling said it should be, and yet every time we try and use it nothing happens. Phil closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He could feel the beginning of a headache pushing behind his eyes.

They were both silent for several moments.

All we can do is dream. And then grab it with both hands and drag it into reality. The answer is there, we will find it. Claire said quietly, looking at Phil for affirmation.

Phil didn’t need to force the smile that found it's way to his lips. Yeah, but not today. He paused for a moment, weighing his next sentence. He knew it was necessary to succeed.

I think we need to bring the whole station in on this.

Are you sure? Concern furrowed Claire’s brow. Phil had always been reluctant to let more than his most trusted advisors in on the complete project, everyone had their place and contributed but few knew the full picture.

Yeah, tomorrow we hold a briefing. Get everyone on the station to attend. Let’s see if a fresh set of eyes will help Phil instructed before gesturing to the mess hall. Late dinner? Sure Claire stood and walked with him to the mess hall.

The next day Phil walked confidently into the noisy presentation room full of scientists. He nodded in acknowledgment to the scattered greetings as he made his way to the podium situated on the far side from the entrance. He set his notes down and took a moment to gather himself before launching into his presentation.

Good morning. Thank you all for coming

A hush fell over the room. Phil pressed a button on his remote and the screen behind him turned on.

What I am about to show you is one of the best held secrets in the world. By signing the non-disclosure agreement to be on this station, you understand revealing any information I share with you will come with very harsh penalties. Those who do not want to risk that can leave the room now

Nobody made a move for the door.

As of this morning the International Alliance of Nations has allowed me to inform everyone present, that this station will be shifting priorities for a short time. We have been tasked with mass producing the M particle. It’s a particle with negative energy and the last step in getting the Alcubierre operational.

There was a lot of shuffling as the implications dawned on them. Most knew what Phil was famous for, being the first to demonstrate the existence of the m-particle experimentally, but didn’t know what he had been working on. Phil pressed the button again and the data from the simulations and modeling become visible on the screen.

Here you see the formula to generate the m-particle. According to the simulations, the modeling is accurate. Scaling has also be accounted for. Phil said as everyone studied the complex data on the screen. He pressed the button again and the image changed to the schematic of the drive itself. This is the layout of the drive Claire’s team has put together. In all simulations it works. But we don’t think the drive is generating enough of the required particles. I would like all physicists to double and triple check the modeling, and refine the simulations. I’d also like all engineers to go over the plans for the drive with a fine tooth comb. We are missing something, and we need a fresh set of eyes to spot it. Your current tasks and projects should, of course take priority, all we are asking is a little of your time. Claire stood up, the seats in this room are occupied by the best minds the International Alliance has to offer, and if we are to reach further than our species ever has before, we need a collective intelligence to do so.

The room erupted in chatter as the scientists took a few minutes to discuss their decisions with each other while a few took their leave. Phil and Claire exchanged a look as they waited for the response.

After several minutes Phil called them back to silence.

I’m... (he gestured at Claire) we’re not asking you to drop everything, or anything for that matter, just confirm everything is right and see if you notice anything we have overlooked. He scanned the room for support. You can go back to your work stations if you want. You know where to find me if you want to look over any of the data

Phil walked out of the room with Claire in tow.

The remaining scientists broke off into groups and over the next three weeks different specialists looked over specific sections of the design. New screens were installed and the detailed complicated calculations were examined. The theory of relativity was broken down, examined, and every single detail of the simulations checked and refined. In the hangar bay, the test device, was being disassembled. Screens all around the room displayed every circuit, every screw, every minor detail of the device. People moved from screen to screen, examining it. Slowly they pulled the device apart and reassembled it.

Finally, the simulations were finished, the engine was rebuilt and found to be in perfect working order, and the field was theoretically deconstructed and determined stable.

No matter what was tried, the drive couldn’t create a stable negative energy field in the lab. Which meant the problem was coming from somewhere else.

Several nights later Phil sat in the courtyard looking up at the dome roof, watching a new shipment of supplies coming in to land, it had just detached from the delivery unit. He observed the ship’s thrusters move the lander around in the microgravity of the...

That’s it! He leapt to his feet and ran through the station to his lab. Turning on the view screen he looked over the calculations. It seemed so obvious now he fell back into his chair and burst out laughing.

Dr. Roberts, a man of Indian descent, about 6 foot tall and always smiling, had seen Phil run to his office. He opened the door and peered in, noticing Phil in his chair. For a moment he was unsure if he was laughing or crying.

You okay? He asked.

Microgravity! Phil said, still laughing.

What? Dr. Roberts said.

The field won’t stabilize down here. He rubbed his eyes, a huge grin plastered his face. The gravity causes the negative particles to fly away from the surface, preventing it from stabilizing.

Dr. Roberts stood silent in the doorway. Holy shit... how did we not realize?

Because we are too smart for our own good. We couldn’t see the simplest reason when it was right in front of us the whole time He took a deep breath and stood up. Gather the teams. We need to prep for a launch.

One week later Phil stood in the presentation room, now called the control room. Every screen was displaying something different; flight telemetry, system status, and all the other vital information needed for launch. Claire stood beside him eyeing the main view screen which was displaying the probe. Her excitement mirrored his. They both had a huge stake in the success of the test. The probe itself looked almost like a 5m long bullet, rounded tip cylindrical in shape, but with one noticeable difference, it had two rings around it, one at the front, one near the back.

Lagrange point achieved. Ready to power drive Elías De La Pena said.

Okay, we only need a quick test, jump it for one minute, and then bring it back Phil instructed.

Plotting course, entering parameters now Saša Zaykov said.

Now would be a good time for a rousing speech, I spent most of last night trying to think of one, and I got nothing Phil joked nervously. His career would be in jeopardy if this failed. As we look into the void of the future, we never know how our actions will ripple out and affect the universe around us, may our future be bright with the hopes and dreams of those that follow us Claire assisted.

Phil turned to look at her and smiled a coy smile. Final system check he said.

Structural in the green, sensors in the green Elías De La Pena wiped sweat from his brow.

Course plotted. A-Drive in the green. Particle field is stable Saša Zaykov said.

We are good to go Claire looked at Phil for the go.

Commence final countdown Phil ordered.

Outside the control room, in the courtyard garden stood the majority of the other scientists. The interior lights had been dimmed to allow the star light to be visible. They watched through the dome as a tiny silver speck, with blinking red and green lights, floated in the star field surrounding it. A screen on the wall counted down in bright lettering.

5...

4...

3...

2...

1...

Launch...

Above their heads the little blinking lights shifted a deep red and vanished. In the control room all screens went blank. Now the waiting game. It shouldn’t have been more than a minute before the probe reappeared but to Phil, with his eyes squeezed shut, it felt like an eternity. Every sound resonated as he waited, holding his breath.

This could end him .The lights buzzed overhead.

A lifetime of work . The vents hissed.

Who would hire him? The computer cooling fans whirred noisily.

He would be forgotten . A pencil rolled and clattered to the ground.

It was as if time were standing still...

A loud gasp broke the silence. The probe had returned and was sending telemetry. The screens lit up and pages of data scrolled past. The people outside in the courtyard cheered. They had seen a bright flash followed by a blue object turning white again.

Phil felt something he hadn’t since he was a child. Hope. Wonder. Things were now possible that hadn’t been a moment ago. He felt his throat tighten and his nose pinched as moisture gathered in his eyes. He cleared his throat, buying himself a moment to push back the primal roar of elation he felt kicking in his chest.

That’s one jump done. Phil said to no one in particular. Now it’s time to examine the data. No, now’s the time to celebrate, tomorrow’s the time to look over the data. Elías De La Pena said.

Phil just wanted to look over the data, there would be plenty of time to celebrate in the future and in that moment, he held the single most important discovery of the century within his grasp.

Tewake, retrieve the probe, I need to examine it Phil ordered.

Roger that. Peter Tewake confirmed in a heavy New Zealander accent. He set out to recover the probe.

I’ll make sure the data is all backed up. Claire set to work preserving his lifeline. She turned and put her hand on Phils shoulder, You head down to the mess hall, I’ll be there in a second.

He paused and looked at her for a second, You’re right, tonight we celebrate, but tomorrow we need to hunker down and do over this data

Everyone left the room and headed to the mess. Phil was the second last one out, he fully intended to excuse himself early and take a peek at the data once he was sure his absence wouldn’t be noted. He stopped in the courtyard and looked up through the dome. The tiny blinking light was still visible as the retrieval shuttle ascended.

We did it. He whispered to himself. We can reach the stars. A giant grin plastered his face as he followed the excited group toward the mess hall.

EXODUS PART 2

Into the Fire

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) with strong magnetic fields are typically associated with significant Solar Energetic Particle events, high solar wind speed and solar flare events. Successful prediction of the arrival time of a CME at Earth is required to maximize the time available for satellite, infrastructure, and space travel programs to take protective action against the coming flux of high-energy particles.

- Matthew E. Murphy ‘Statistical Study of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections with Strong Magnetic Fields’

Phil walked into the control room the next day with bloodshot eyes. He felt as if his head would explode at any moment. On the main screen was the data collected by the probe. Around the outside of the room sat several people going over the probe’s data. Phil rang up the navigational data. Looking at the star patterns he realized they had made Mars’ orbit in a little over a minute.

We hit at least twelve times the speed of light. He breathed. Holy...

Should we go public? Dr. Roberts asked, glancing at a nearby screen

I’m not even sure we should tell I.A.N. Phil answered. He slowly moved around the room taking in all the data he could see. We need to run a lot more tests first.

Agreed. Claire affirmed. It seems the probe was undamaged, but I would like to run some diagnostics first.

Go over it and then let me know when you’re ready for another flight. Phil said

Already? Claire wasn’t completely surprised.

I want to do at least five more jumps before we go to I.A.N. Phil said.

Five? We struggled to do one. Dr. Roberts interjected.

I want to make sure that it works consistently, and we have enough data so that when we do go public, we can be sure it’s viable. Phil explained.

Claire stood and moved toward the door. Well, I’ll gather the team and have a report for you as soon as I can.

Thanks Claire, I just want to get make sure there’s nothing we overlooked. Phil said as she left the room.

Break up the data into sections and hand it out to the teams to look over. I’m going to look over navigation, and see if we can find a better way of controlling how the field moves. Phil instructed.

Okay. Dr. Roberts answered as he sifted through the data.

I’ll be in my office if you need me Phil left them to their tasks.

Two weeks later the Control Room was full of people chattering excitedly. The second test was set to begin.

Peter confirms the probe is in position. Saša Zaykov said.

Running final diagnostics. Elías De La Pena stated.

Plotting course, entering parameters now. Saša Zaykov dictated.

Good, lets hope the second flight is a good as the first. Phil felt his stomach begin to churn. It was common in his field for inconsistent success despite the promise of initial trials. Structural in the green, sensors in the green. Elías De La Pena called out.

Course plotted. A-Drive in the green. Particle field is stable.

The final checks were complete.

A siren blasted through the halls of the station. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up, waiting for information. Saša Zaykov punched a few buttons.

Tyson-Young network warning of a category 4 flare building. Saša Zaykov said nervously.

Shut everything down and get to the bunker! Phil ordered.

What about the probe? Elías De La Pena asked.

No time to recover it. Phil felt like he had been kicked in the gut. Leave it, we will have to make another. Phil had already begun calculating the time it would take to build another and how long until he would be able to publish his findings as he ushered everyone from the room.

Phil quickly checked the rooms along the way to the bunker. He did a headcount to ensure everyone was inside before he sealed the door. He closed his eyes and could see small flashes of light. The particles were energetic enough to penetrate the surface, water barrier and the bunker lining. The geiger counter on the wall showed a small increase in radiation. Nothing life threatening but they would need to be examined by Doctors Free and Jones who sat at the back of the bunker looking more than concerned as the geiger counter slowly crept up.

It was a common enough occurrence, going to the bunker, either as a drill or in the rare case of an actual CME. Either way they were fairly safe.

Almost an hour passed before the siren stopped, the vault was opened and the all clear given. Everyone returned to their station, with those off duty told to check in with the doctors and those on duty told to check in at the end of their shift. It was all fairly routine.

Phil was the last out of the bunker. He headed towards the control room but stopped in the courtyard. He looked up but couldn’t see the blinking lights from the probe.

Has it been damaged? He thought to himself.

When he entered the control room, he joined the others as they looked at the screens. All the screens were blaring warnings with the words ‘Signal lost’ in almost every window. He stared at them confused.

The probe should still be there, it’s shielding should have protected it. He thought out loud. Report Phil ordered.

Readings show that the signal was lost at the height of the CME. Elías De La Pena said.

We are looking into station sensors now to try and work out what happened.

Can Tewake fly out and visually confirm? Phil asked.

Sensors indicate it’s not there, we are trying to locate it. Elías De La Pena answered.

Phil sat down, and looked at the screens. "Did he lose his only probe after only one test flight? No. Impossible. What would that mean to the project?" He pondered.

I have something. Elías De La Pena said tentatively.

Yes? Phil looked at him expectantly.

It seems it might have jumped. Elías De La Pena said looking uneasy.

Really? Phil asked confused. It was in standby mode, it shouldn't have been able to jump. I can confirm local sensors did pick up a minor gravimetric disturbance consistent with a jump at about the time contact was lost. Saša Zaykov said.

Well, shouldn’t it bounce back to us at the end of it's flight path. Phil asked.

Yes. But since we never finished transmitting the data, we don’t know where it will jump to, and even if it can jump back. Elías De La Pena explained.

Okay. Phil said, rubbing his brow Let's just wait and see. I’m going to get checked over by the doctors, contact me if anything changes.

A week later there was still no sign of the probe. Presuming it lost, Claire worked with her team in the hangar building a second A-drive. Phil was in his office going over the data from the first jump to try and identify what might have gone wrong during the mass ejection. Dr. Roberts sat in the control room, he was monitoring communication channels used by the probe when the computer pinged.

Huh? Dr. Roberts said, spinning his chair around and looking at the screen next to him. Elías De La Pena moved around to have a look. A small blinking dot was on the screen

We are receiving a signal. Elías De La Pena said.

Checking ping. Dr. Roberts said.

140 seconds. Elías De La Pena added.

Get Phil. Dr. Roberts ordered. I’ll start the data transfer.

Elías De La Pena rushed off to find Phil. Dr. Roberts pressed a few buttons and a data buffer appeared on the screen. The progress bar began to move slowly as Phil entered the room in a rush, Elías De La Pena following close behind.

We have contact with probe 1 Dr. Roberts said

Where is it? Do we have visual contact? Is there an uplink? Phil asked looking at the screens.

Its point one four astronomical units away, no visual contact, and we have a 140 second ping. Dr. Roberts said, answering Phils questions as quick as he can.

Can we pinpoint it's location? Phil said.

According to the instruments, it exited FTL right where it left from. Dr. Roberts said, putting the mapping data up on the main screen.

So it’s right where we used to be. Phil said smiling Request priority access to the James Webb Space Telescope Network for visual confirmation of it's condition if possible.

Elías De La Pena  jumps on a console and sends the request.

Where did it go? Phil said bringing up the navigation screen

Numbers blink across the screen. He looked at it confused

This can’t be accurate. Phil said, standing back.

Dr Roberts looks at the screen. Thats impossible. he exclaimed in shock.

On the screen is the location of several known pulsars. This is the basis for the navigation system for the probe. Pulsars rotate at a set speed and have a relatively fixed location. When the probe isn’t in FTL it can identify them and map its own relative position. On the screen it showed the probes course. It had moved 32.5 light years in just over a day.

The M fields should have destabilized after only a few minutes. Phil said.

Looking at the data here, it shows the field fluctuated when hit by the coronal mass ejection, several sensors were overloaded. It seems the drive activated at this time. Dr Roberts explains.

It’s back? Claire said shocked. Standing near the back of the room, looking at the screen. No one had noticed her enter.

Downloads fragmented, accessing the data we have. It appears to be corrupted due to a damaged transmitter. Dr. Roberts said.

We need to recover it, do a visual inspection, access the data manually. What just happened shouldn’t be possible Claire said.

Agreed, but it’s .14AU away. We can’t send Pete out to get it, it’s too far. Phil said

The room fell into silence as everyone tried to come up with a solution to the problem. Probe 2. We send it out to Probe 1. Once it’s close enough we should be able to bring it back inside the same warp bubble. Claire suggests.

That won’t be easy Dr. Roberts said.

We just did the impossible once, we can do it again. Phil says, sounding inspired Claire, get your team to add some thrusters and a magnetic grapple to Probe 2. We will work out the safest intercept course to take to recover Probe 1.

Claire left the room and headed to the hangar bay. Dr. Roberts and Phil started mapping out the course needed to FTL near Probe 1 and then fly in at sublight, grapple it, and then fly back. Three days later, Probe 2 sat in the lagrange point above the moon. Course plotted.

System link is established, we should be able to FTL to within 5km of Probe 1, and then go into manual drive for docking. Saša Zaykov said.

Powering drive, ready for jump. Elías De La Pena said.

Will this work? Claire asked.

Only chance we have. Phil said.

Jumping in 3, 2, 1. Elías De La Pena said.

Probe 2 in orbit appears to visibly stretch, turns red and vanishes, a second later it reappears near Probe 1.

Tracking reestablished, Probe 2 is 5.1km away from Probe 1. Saša Zaykov said.

Bring it in, nice and slowly Phil said.

Elías De La Pena started pressing buttons on the main console, and 70 seconds later, Probe 2 jumped to life. The small thrusters on the outside of Probe 2s hull pushed it forwards, towards Probe 1.

We have thrust, moving forwards at 1m/s. Eta to contact 90 minutes. Elías De La Pena  said.

James Webb Space Telescope Network has visual lock on the probes. Sending through the live feed now. Saša Zaykov said.

On the screen in front of them two tiny blinking green dots flash. They were slowly moving together.

We have priority control over the telescope network for probe recovery. Saša Zaykov adds.

As time went by, the two blinking dots slowly moved closer as the probes approached each other. The telescopes zoomed in giving a clearer image. The shiny new Probe 2 slowly approached the visibly damaged Probe 1.

On final approach, slowing to one meter per minute. Elías De La Pena said.

Compensating for drift, aiming tether, firing... Saša Zaykov said We have lock, bring them in together

On screen the cable connecting the two probes tightened and drew Probe 1 over to Probe 2. Plotting return course, increasing bubble size. Dr. Roberts said.

We don’t need the James Webb Space Telescope Network observing anymore, turn them away from this position. Phil said, BN2 pressed a few buttons and the image started to pan away from the probes.

Calculations complete, we are ready to bring it home. Dr. Roberts said.

Transmitting data to Probe 2. Saša Zaykov said.

Tewake you in recovery position? Phil asked into the radio.

Roger that, in orbit awaiting arrival of the Probes. Pete’s voice crackled back through the radio.

Transfer completed, we are ready to jump. Saša Zaykov said.

Bring them home. Phil said

In orbit, Pete watched as a bright flash of light and then both of the probes leave FTL a short distance away. We have confirmation of return of probes, bringing them down.

Back in the control room an audible sigh of relief was heard.

Thanks Pete, we will wait for you in the hangar bay. Phil said into the radio, his relief clearly audible.

20 minutes later everyone watched as Pete brought in the two probes. Claire and Phil run over to Probe 1 and opened the side access panel plugging in a small tablet.

The data appears to be all here. Claire said, tapping the screen, It’ll just take a few minutes to back it up and transfer it to our servers.

"Good.